Holistic Practitioners

Julie Shindler-Cohen Celebrates 10-year Anniversary

February 11, 2019 By Julie Shindler-Cohen Leave a Comment

10 Years in Practice: A Reflection

Happy New Year, everyone! For me, 2019 signifies my 10th anniversary as an acupuncturist. I cannot believe that it’s been a whole decade. As I gear up to celebrate my 10th year, I’m also very reflective on my experience thus far. I remember that when I first started practicing acupuncture, I couldn’t wait to have more years “under my belt”. The beautiful thing about practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine is that the longer we practice, the MORE insight and knowledge we gain. I am slightly restrained in my celebration, as I hope that 10 years is merely the beginning of a very long practice. [Read more…]

Honoring the season of winter in body, mind, and spirit

January 29, 2019 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Here in Michigan we are awaiting a winter storm. It will be cold, with a dark sky & a blanket of ivory over everything.

In Chinese Medicine, this time of year reflects the Kidney energy, which is the body’s deepest and most vital energy source. The Kidney energy is literally in our DNA and is the energy we are referring to when we speak about genetics and epi-genetics. It’s our ancestors, our parents, our blood line, and our souls destiny.

In more concrete terms, this time of year is a time to go within. A time to honor who we TRULY are, as spirits inside bodies. Contrary to January 1 in the United States, this is NOT a great time to be making resolutions and starting over. Who has the energy? Rather it is a time to go within and LISTEN to what your spirit is truly speaking to you.

Here are some simple steps to going within and LISTENING to what your spirit has to offer you.

Allow yourself some time. One of the hardest parts of making time for yourself is actually setting it aside and not letting it get taken over by your to do list. We have been told that the more you DO, the more valuable you are. Don’t believe it. It is in our deepest reflection that our paths can be made clear and then our creation starts to occur with more grace and ease.
Quiet your mind by activating your voice. A great form of meditation is sound therapy. Our bodies are made up of energetic frequencies and sound is definitely a healer. The video made by John Weiss, is a great short exercise to tap into the deep kidney energy.
Listen to your inner knowing. I call it spirit but truly, it goes by no name. Beneath the identity, the ego, and the physical body is an inner being. When we can be still and listen, we will often hear message from our own spirit, giving us the exact guidance we need to move forward in our lives. Rather than making choices from a place of fear or based on the latest research, we can tap into our bodies own knowing and ask what we need at that time. As a healer, I have found that this is my true job; not to heal someone through my rational knowing, but to be supportive of them while they unlock their inner healer.

Tips for Avoiding Colds and Flu

January 16, 2019 By Julie Shindler-Cohen Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again! That time where EVERYONE seems to be getting sick with the common cold, flu and worse. Conventional medicine has few options to treat these maladies and we all suffer through the runny nose, sneezing, fatigue and sore throat. But you don’t have to!
No one really has the time to get sick. For me, the thought of getting a cold is like striking a raw nerve. So, I want to share my tricks to avoiding and beating our winter-time illnesses.
Here are some remedies that I have found to be helpful (for me): [Read more…]

Acupuncture’s most Frequently Asked Questions

October 2, 2018 By Julie Silver Leave a Comment

When I tell someone I am an Acupuncturist, they respond with curiosity and questions! Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions in our clinic~

What is the goal of Acupuncture?

The goal of Acupuncture is to restore balance in our body by working with our body’s own Qi Energy. Acupuncture uses very thin, solid, sterile stainless steel needles to “activate” specific acupuncture points throughout the body, restoring balance and order to the Qi energy.

What is Qi? (pronounced chee)

Qi is a life force or energy that is in our body and in the universe. It is an invisible force known by its effect. We cannot see Qi. Qi underlies organic life in our body. Qi is the source of all movement in the body. Qi protects the body. Qi travels throughout the body via pathways called meridians. [Read more…]

The Many Promises of Alternative Medicine: How your acupuncturist differs from your primary care doctor

May 7, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Over the years I’ve been in conversation with patients about “this or that” health condition. I’m always surprised when I hear people say, “but I’ve already seen my doctor for it.” Oftentimes people will follow this line up with something like, “There’s nothing else I can do.”

I beg to differ.

No, not all illnesses are cured by alternative medicine. I’m not here to try to convince you to get acupuncture for everything. But neither does Western medicine cure all ailments. [Read more…]

Ask a Practitioner

August 8, 2017 By Julie Silver Leave a Comment

There are still a few weeks left of summer. What’s your best tip for making the most of it

Our family recently moved to the West Bloomfield area and we’re enjoying our new neighborhood with lake access. I think the best tip I have is to get outside and enjoy our beautiful state!

Monica Mae Leibson, Acupuncturist

I like to take advantage of the late sunsets and extended daylight by taking walks later in the evening and going to watch the sunset. I like to look at the landscaping in yards and the array of hydrangeas, hostas and all the blooming flowers. We live in such a beautiful state. To beat the heat, I make cooling drinks like cucumber water or watermelon gazpacho.

Karen Siegel Propis, Acupuncturist

I try to enjoy EVERY SECOND of summer, but I really make sure to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Even if it’s just an evening walk around the neighborhood, I try to enjoy the scenery and beautiful environment before the colors change.

Julie Shindler Cohen, Acupuncturist

Our young family loves spending time near and in the water. Swimming, wading pool, splash parks, sprinklers … you name it, we’re there!

Jennifer Pillow White, CranioSacral Therapist

Find balance. Go outside, enjoy the fresh air, take a walk! Embrace each day as if it were the only one! Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude!

Julie Silver, Acupuncturist

Trusting the Road Ahead

April 2, 2017 By Jennifer Pillow-White 1 Comment

When I reflect on my journey to the present day, the word that comes to mind is trust. I trusted all along the way. I am the resident CranioSacral Therapist at MAAIM but I am so much more. I am a wife, mom, educator, vegetarian, ferocious reader, lover of bad jokes and overall happy human being. I have been with my husband for 25 years and am the mom to two brilliant, precocious, hilarious and kind hearted 4 years olds (yes, twins). Our family’s journey began where my passion for science started.

[Read more…]

What have I learned? Celebrating 10 years of insight in alternative medicine

September 18, 2016 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

As I reflect back upon my 10 years of being an acupuncturist, I am in awe of all that I have learned. I have learned from my patients, from my additional training since my graduate school in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and I’ve learned from my teachers and colleagues. The theories of TCM have made a profound impact on my life.

When I started at the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine, I was introduced to the theory of yin and yang which exemplifies the dualistic nature of all things. No one thing in life and in nature can exist without it’s exact opposite permeating it at some level. Hot cannot exist without cold, night cannot exist without day. It’s a simple concept but when applied to healthcare, is quite eye opening. In order for healing to occur, we have to balance the yin and yang of our own body!

monica-career-timeline

My first formal picture for AIM. I was just a baby, only 26 years old!

My first formal office picture, in 2006

When I first started as an acupuncturist, I had the bright eyed innocence of a child. I thought EVERYTHING could be healed through TCM! [Read more…]

Acupuncture for PCOS

August 13, 2015 By Julie Shindler-Cohen 1 Comment

Receiving a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is very scary and confusing for many women, especially when trying to conceive. PCOS is a syndrome—this means one size does NOT fit all. Classically, women with PCOS were overweight, had inappropriate hair growth and did not menstruate regularly. However, many of the PCOS patients I see do NOT fit that description. Some women have insulin resistance, acne, irregular periods or cysts on their ovaries. Or not. Traditional treatment for PCOS involves birth control pills, blood sugar regulating medications, low carb diet and exercise. When trying to conceive, all of those options are great—with the exception of birth control pills! [Read more…]

Exciting News!

June 1, 2015 By Julie Shindler-Cohen Leave a Comment

I am proud to announce that I recently became a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), the first in the state of Michigan. The ABORM is a group of acupuncturists that have extensive experience in treating infertility and work together with Western medical practitioners to create a level of professionalism and excellence within the field. Many long-time ABORM members are the leaders in the community of Chinese medical reproductive medicine. The ABORM was created to set a standard of excellence in treatment of Chinese medicine and infertility. Fellows must acquire a specific amount of continuing education credits in Chinese reproductive medicine and at least 2 years of practice before being eligible to sit for the ABORM certification exam. Fellows are only inducted after passing this examination. [Read more…]